Projects
AIR 5077 - Project Wedgetail
Airborne Early Warning and Control
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Project History
Early History
Project Wedgetail had it's genesis almost 21 years ago in Air Staff Requirement No.64 "Air Defence Early Warning and Control Components" which proposed that the Royal Australian Air Force acquire an Airborne Early Warning and Control capability, in conjunction with other elements of the Air Defence System including Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN). By 1980 the AEW&C element of AIR 64 was split from the requirement and became AIR 77 - AEW&C.
AIR 77 was revitalised by a Government announcement in late 1985 which led
to the issue of a Request for Proposal to industry in 1986. AEW&C remained
on the Defence agenda throughout 1987 and in mid1988 the then Minister of Defence
announced that the Australian Defence Force would acquire an AEW&C capability
and that a Request for Tender would be released in November of that year. Despite
this positive start, competing equipment priorities and economic pressure led
to the Project being slipped, the Minister stating that Australia could not
afford any of the systems then available.
1994 and Beyond
Project Air 5077 evolved from AIR 77 and was re-considered by the Higher Defence Committees in 1994. At that time, a Project Definition Study was approved. The Study was conducted throughout 1995 and early 1996. It involved many elements of the Australian Department of Defence, including the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).
Departmental Committees endorsed the AEW&C capability in early 1996. The Project Office conducted a briefing to Industry on 28 May 96 to describe performance, development, risk and industry aspects of the procurement process. In a most positive step Project AIR 5077 became an approved project in the context of the Australian Government 1996/1997 Budget with the approval of Air 5077 Phase Two in August 1996. In addition to Departmental endorsement and Government approval, the AEW&C Project has achieved two other major milestones in 1996, these being the release and evaluation of an Invitation to Register Interest and the release of a Request for Proposal, responses to which were received on 14 February1997.
Significant Events
- Contract
Options Signed 3 Jun 2004
The take-up of the Contract Options increases the Wedgetail aircraft being acquired from four to six. The first of these is scheduled to arrive at RAAF Amberley late next year, with the final Wedgetail due for completion in early 2008.
- Defence White Paper released - 6 Dec 2000
In the release of the Defence White Paper today, the Prime Minister announced
"We will acquire four Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft now - with the possibility of acquiring three more later in the decade."
- AEW&C Decision Deferred - 21 Aug 2000
The Minister for Defence, John Moore, today announced that the Federal Government had decided to defer consideration of the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) project to establish whether it fits into the balance of the ADF’s required capabilities in the context of the forthcoming Defence White Paper."The Government believes that in view of the scale and significance of this project, a decision should be taken in the context of the White Paper," Mr Moore said.
"This will allow a decision to be taken in the light of Australia’s overall strategic objectives, capability priorities and Defence funding."
The project proposes the acquisition of 6 to 7 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.
- Preferred Tenderer Announced - 21 July 1999
Last updated: June 2006
